Cookie Policy
This Cookie Policy explains how Upscale Insightslock Consulting uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website. It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy and POPIA Privacy Notice.
1. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently, provide a better user experience, and give website owners information about how their sites are being used.
Similar technologies include web beacons (small images embedded in pages or emails that track activity), pixel tags, and local storage. For simplicity, we refer to all of these collectively as “cookies” in this policy.
Cookies are not harmful to your device and do not give us access to your device or any information on it beyond what you choose to share with us.
2. Why We Use Them
We use cookies to:
- Ensure our website functions correctly and securely
- Remember your preferences and improve your browsing experience
- Understand how visitors use our website (analytics)
- Measure the effectiveness of our content and marketing
- Provide relevant information to returning visitors
We do not use cookies to collect sensitive personal information or to track your browsing across unrelated third-party websites for advertising profiling purposes.
3. Types of Cookies
4. Cookies We Use
The following cookies may be active on our website:
| Cookie Name | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| _session | Strictly Necessary | Maintains your session state as you navigate the site | Session |
| cookie_consent | Strictly Necessary | Stores your cookie consent preferences | 12 months |
| _ga | Analytics | Google Analytics — distinguishes unique users | 2 years |
| _ga_* | Analytics | Google Analytics — maintains session state | 2 years |
| _gid | Analytics | Google Analytics — distinguishes users | 24 hours |
| _gat | Analytics | Google Analytics — throttles request rate | 1 minute |
| wp_* | Functional | WordPress platform functionality cookies | Varies |
This list may be updated periodically as our website evolves. Please check back regularly for the most current information.
5. Third-Party Cookies
Some pages on our website embed content or functionality from third-party services. These third parties may set their own cookies. We have limited control over these cookies. The main third-party services that may set cookies include:
- Google Analytics — website performance analytics (Google Privacy Policy)
- Calendly — online scheduling tool embedded on our booking pages (Calendly Privacy Policy)
- Facebook / Meta — social sharing and page features, if connected (Meta Privacy Policy)
- LinkedIn — social sharing and professional content features (LinkedIn Privacy Policy)
We encourage you to review the respective privacy and cookie policies of these services for more information.
6. Managing Cookies
You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject optional cookies. You can manage your cookie preferences in the following ways:
Via Your Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can set your browser to refuse all or certain cookies, or to alert you when websites attempt to set or access cookies.
Opt Out of Analytics
To opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites, you may install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Please note that rejecting certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.
7. Your Consent
In accordance with POPIA and applicable data protection requirements, we request your consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device. When you first visit our website, a cookie consent banner will be displayed allowing you to:
- Accept all cookies
- Reject all optional cookies
- Customise your preferences by cookie category
You may change your cookie preferences at any time. Strictly necessary cookies do not require your consent as they are essential for the website to function.
Your consent is valid for 12 months, after which you will be asked to confirm your preferences again.
8. Impact of Disabling Cookies
If you choose to disable certain cookies, please be aware of the following potential impacts:
- Strictly necessary cookies disabled: The website may not function correctly. Some pages or features may be inaccessible.
- Analytics cookies disabled: We will not be able to measure and improve website performance based on usage data. Your experience will not be affected.
- Functional cookies disabled: Some personalisation features may not work as expected. You may need to re-enter preferences on each visit.
- Targeting cookies disabled: You may still see general content, but it may be less relevant to your interests.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our business practices. The updated policy will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.
If changes are material, we will provide a more prominent notice (such as a notification on our homepage). We encourage you to review this page periodically.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions about our use of cookies or wish to exercise any of your data rights, please contact us:
Republic of South Africa
Phone / WhatsApp: +27 71 379 0965
Website: upscaleinsightslockconsulting.com
